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USA: Deer Flats Farms owner accepts diversionary sentence after charges of assaulting Mexican worker & his 15 year old nephew; incl. co comment
In August, it was reported that the owner of Deer Flats Farm in Vermont assaulted a Mexican farmworker and the worker’s 15 year old nephew. The worker and his nephew sought treatment for minor injuries following the incident.
The civil society organisation Migrant Justice has described the incident as part of a broader problem of abuse on Vermont dairy farms.
We believe that transparency and public accountability are needed to repair the harm and ensure that workers at Deer Flats Farm do not live and work in fear of violence. The conditions that result in employer assaults against farmworkers in Vermont can't be solved with the punishment of one person.Migrant Justice
In October, it was reported that the farmworker had accepted a diversionary sentence, allowing for no jail time, a fine and community service. The farm owner did not respond to requests for comment. However, the wife of the farm owner had earlier denied the charges of assault, saying the worker had “attempted to sell” her son narcotics, which the worker denies.